Washington Smoke Information

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Cougar Fire Puts Smoke into Wenatchee and Chelan Areas

A new, large fire near Mount Adams grew rapidly today. Today's smoke forecast for the Wolverine Fire did not account for the Cougar Fire, which put a large smoke plume over the towns of Wenatchee, Chelan, and the Methow Valley area for several hours today. The smoke from this fire added to the local smoke impacts of the Wolverine Fire creating unhealthy air quality conditions in some areas.

Smoke forecast through Friday 14 August

Air quality in eastern Washington turned out a little worse than expected overnight Tuesday. East winds pushed smoke from the Wolverine fire across the Cascades into Darrington, resulting in unhealthy air for a few hours. Smoke from Idaho fires also wafted through the Lewis- Clark valley and the Spokane area, degrading air quality.

Chelan, Leavenworth, Wenatchee and the Methow Valley are currently seeing air quality ranging from Moderate to Unhealthy. Smoke is also making its way into the Kittitas valley and Columbia Basin, with several areas on the cusp of Moderate air quality. This picture is not expected to change significantly through Thursday night. In general, some relief during the afternoon followed by poor air quality at night. We should see a little more relief from smoke on Friday.

Some thunderstorms have already rolled through eastern Washington today, making for complex local wind patterns and firefighting conditions. Plenty of lightning and some downpours. Expecting the same on Thursday afternoon and evening. On Friday winds are likely to ramp up and help blow away some of the accumulated smoke but they are also likely to fan the flames of new and existing fires. A red flag warning remains in place until 8PM Thursday.

Chelan/Douglas County Air Quality Advisory for 8/12/15

News Release

For Immediate Release: August 12, 2015 8:00 am

Contact: Mary Small, Public Information Officer (509) 886-6410

Air Quality Advisory

Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Chelan and Manson Area – Moderate +

Areas around North Central Washington are receiving more smoke from the Wolverine Fire. Most of the time Air Quality is expected to be Moderate, but in some areas, where smoke is trapped, it may be Unhealthy for sensitive groups or Unhealthy at times.

Information here can provide guidance for the level of smoke you are seeing and the precautions recommended. Air Quality will vary throughout the day. Individuals with pre-existing heart and lung diseases, the elderly, children and infants are at highest risk of experiencing health complications from smoke. If you are in a sensitive group experiencing adverse health effects limit your outdoor activity or exertion level.

Most people will be unaffected by Moderate air quality levels.

For more information go to http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ or http://www.cdhd.wa.gov/ to the air quality and fires page or the Chelan County face book page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chelan-County-Emergency-Management/188543097925415

Category	Health Effects	General Precautions	Visibility
*Good*	None	None	10 miles
*Moderate*	Possible adverse health effects for people with pre-existing heart and lung diseases	None	4-9 miles
*Unhealthy for sensitive people*	Increasing likelihood of adverse health effects for those with pre-existing heart and lung diseases	People with pre-existing heart and lung diseases, the elderly, and children should limit prolonged outdoor exertion	2.5-3 miles
*Unhealthy*	Increased aggravation of pre-existing heart and lung diseases and premature mortality among sensitive populations. Increasing adverse respiratory effects in general population	People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, and children should avoid any prolonged exertion. Everyone else should limit prolonged exertion.	1.25-2 miles
*Very Unhealthy*	Significant aggravation of pre-existing heart and lung diseases and premature mortality among sensitive populations. Significant increase of adverse respiratory effects in the general population.	People with pre-existing conditions, the elderly, and children should avoid any outdoor activity or if possible, relocate to a “clean air” area. Everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion	1 mile
*Hazardous*	Serious aggravation of existing heart and lung diseases. Increased pre-mature mortality among sensitive populations. Serious risk of adverse respiratory affects in the general population.	Everyone should avoid any outdoor exertion, remain indoors, or if possible relocate to a “clean-air” area	Less than 0.75 miles

Manson Smoke Monitor Update (Smoke #65)

We have been having intermittent problems with the PM2.5 monitor located in Manson for a couple of days. After several field attempts to fix the monitor, it now looks like I'll need to ship it to Seattle for repairs. Good news - the monitor at the Lake Chelan Community Hospital is still running well. Please refer to the data from the Chelan monitor (Smoke #24) for local air quality information.
Kelly Palmer - Air Resource Advisor, Wolverine Fire

Wolverine Fire - Smoke Summary Wednesday, August 12

Today: Continued warming and drying, up to 97 degrees in the valleys. Similar to the last few days, morning inversions are expected to hold smoke in the Lake Chelan valley. Morning and afternoon instability and good mixing could allow hazy smoke to disperse toward the Methow Valley in the afternoon. A red flag warning is in place for this afternoon due to hot, unstable conditions and possible thunderstorms. Increased fire activity is expected with crowning and torching possible and increased smoke production likely. Down valley northwest winds 10-15 mph in the evening could increase the chance of smoke moving into Chelan, Moses Lake, and Wenatchee overnight. Thursday: Morning northwest winds 10-15 mph could create light smoky conditions for the Chelan and Wenatchee areas. Thursday afternoon and night instability will increase and northwesterly winds are likely to pick up. Potential for critical fire weather including hot, windy, dry conditions combined with strong to severe thunderstorms. Smoke may disperse widely throughout the area. Friday: Early morning much cooler and wetter, with scattered thunderstorms, showers and areas of locally heavy rain possible.
Site	August 12 Today Air Quality		August 13 Thursday Air Quality	August 14 Friday Air Quality	Comments
Chelan	USG		Moderate	Moderate	Today light smoke early am and possible smoky pm.
Manson	USG		Moderate	Moderate	Today light smoke early am and possible smoky pm.
Methow Valley	Moderate		Moderate	Good	Today, worst air quality around midday.
Wenatchee	Moderate		Moderate	Good	Today, worst air quality at night.
Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly, these predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity. The air quality outlook is based on data from automated instruments that have not been subjected to a quality assurance review. AQI’s estimated for sites with air monitors.
Index Levels of Health Concern		Actions Recommended by WA Department of Ecology to Reduce Smoke Exposure
Good		None
Moderate		People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should limit outdoor activities or do activities that take less effort, such as walking instead of running.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups		Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, infants, children, adults older than 65, pregnant women, or who have had a stroke. These people should limit time spent outdoors.
Unhealthy		Everyone should limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should avoid exercising outdoors (including sports teams) and choose non-strenuous indoor activities. People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should stay indoors. Infants, children, pregnant women and adults over age 65 should also stay indoors.
Very Unhealthy		Everyone should stay indoors, do only light activities, and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask. Check with your local health department for health information. People with asthma, lung and heart disease, or have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.
Hazardous		Everyone should stay indoors, do only light activities, and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask. Check with your local health department for health information. People with asthma, lung and heart disease, or have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Wolverine Fire - Smoke Summary Tuesday, August 11th

Today: Warmer and drier. Morning conditions are expected to be smoky for the Holden-Stehekin area. Morning inversions predicted to lift by 9-10 am allowing smoke dispersal. Hazy/smoky conditions may develop over the Cascade Range and Methow Valley. Smoke is expected to sink into valley/lake inversions at night creating smoky conditions for upper Lake Chelan. Wednesday: Continued warming and drying. Morning inversions expected to hold smoke in the Lake Chelan valley. Afternoon instability and transport could create hazy/smoky conditions for the north Cascade Range. Isolated afternoon thunder showers possible. Evening northwest winds increasing 15-20 mph which could move light smoke southwest of the Wolverine Fire. Thursday: Thursday has the potential for critical fire weather. Windy, dry conditions combined with scattered thundershowers are possible.
Site	August 11 Today Air Quality		August 12 Wednesday Air Quality	August 13 Thursday Air Quality	Comments
Chelan	Good		Good	Good
	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate
Manson	Good		Good	Good
	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate
Methow Valley	Good		Good	Good
	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate
Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly, these predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity. The air quality outlook is based on data from automated instruments that have not been subjected to a quality assurance review. AQI’s estimated for sites with air monitors.
Index Levels of Health Concern		Actions Recommended by WA Department of Ecology to Reduce Smoke Exposure
Good		None
Moderate		People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should limit outdoor activities or do activities that take less effort, such as walking instead of running.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups		Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, infants, children, adults older than 65, pregnant women, or who have had a stroke. These people should limit time spent outdoors.
Unhealthy		Everyone should limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should avoid exercising outdoors (including sports teams) and choose non-strenuous indoor activities. People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should stay indoors. Infants, children, pregnant women and adults over age 65 should also stay indoors.
Very Unhealthy		Everyone should stay indoors, do only light activities, and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask. Check with your local health department for health information. People with asthma, lung and heart disease, or have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.
Hazardous		Everyone should stay indoors, do only light activities, and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask. Check with your local health department for health information. People with asthma, lung and heart disease, or have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.

For more information about smoke in Washington State, visit http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

For more information about the Wolverine Fire and other fires, visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

Monday, August 10, 2015

Wolverine Fire - Smoke Summary Monday, August 10, 2015

Today: Light, down valley northwesterly winds and inversions may create smoky conditions over Stehekin and upper Lake Chelan in the early morning. South-southwesterly transport winds should move smoke to the north after morning inversions lift around 9 am. Smoke and haze possible around the Methow Valley. Moderate instability and isolated showers are expected afternoon. Tuesday: Partly cloudy with slightly warmer temperatures and a chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms. Northwesterly winds and local inversions may create hazy/smoky conditions around the Lake Chelan area in the early morning with some mid-day clearing. Hazy/smoky conditions may develop in the Methow Valley area. Wednesday and Thursday: Continued warming and drying with isolated afternoon thunder showers. Light terrain driven winds may create locally smoky conditions morning and night with some midday clearing. Thursday has the potential for critical fire weather as windy, dry conditions combined with scattered thundershowers are possible.
Site	August 10 Today		August 11 Tomorrow	August 12 Tuesday	Comments
Chelan	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate	Hazy/smoky conditions in the morning and at night. Some mid-day clearing.
	Good		Good	Good
Manson	Moderate		Moderate	Moderate
	Good		Good	Good
Methow Valley Area	Moderate		Moderate
Disclaimer: Conditions may change quickly, these predictions are based on anticipated weather and fire activity. The air quality outlook is based on data from automated instruments that have not been subjected to a quality assurance review. AQI’s estimated for sites with air monitors.
Index Levels of Health Concern		Actions Recommended by WA Department of Ecology to Reduce Smoke Exposure
Good		None
Moderate		People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should limit outdoor activities or do activities that take less effort, such as walking instead of running.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups		Sensitive groups include people with heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, infants, children, adults older than 65, pregnant women, or who have had a stroke. These people should limit time spent outdoors.
Unhealthy		Everyone should limit time spent outdoors. Everyone should avoid exercising outdoors (including sports teams) and choose non-strenuous indoor activities. People with asthma, respiratory infection, diabetes, lung or heart disease, or have had a stroke should stay indoors. Infants, children, pregnant women and adults over age 65 should also stay indoors.
Very Unhealthy		Everyone should stay indoors, do only light activities, and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask. Check with your local health department for health information. People with asthma, lung and heart disease, or have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.
Hazardous		Everyone should stay indoors, do only light activities, and keep windows closed if it is not too hot. Run air conditioners on re-circulate and close the outside air intake. Use indoor air cleaners with HEPA filters, if available. If you must be outdoors, wear an N-95 respirator mask. People with chronic diseases should check with their health care provider before wearing a mask. Check with your local health department for health information. People with asthma, lung and heart disease, or have had a stroke should check with their health care provider for advice about leaving the area. Anyone with shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, heart palpitations, extreme fatigue, or difficulty moving or speaking should call their health care provider or call 911.